What is the most beautiful book you have ever read?

[umbrellabird]

I've had a tough year and just want to surround myself in good things...

www.goodreads.com/book/show/1406870.The_Service_of_Clouds

I don't read all that often, was not brought up in the kind of house that an outraged reading for pleasure, I now have 4 young dc and don't have time. I read this book about 15 years ago, at first I tried and put it away, then I came back to it a couple of years later. It is absolutely beautiful. Not really all that happy though. But beautiful...

The summer book, Tove Jannsson. Or always coming home by Ursula le Guin.

Specifically beautiful, I think it would have to be The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende.

My other choice, though very, very different, would be Mansfield Park, as a work of absolute perfection in writing and characterisation.

I would also agree with Always Coming Home as a good book for a hard time when you need inspiration and encouragement.

Hunting midnight by Richard Zimler. Just beautiful.

For me it is Flowers For Mrs Harris by Paul Gallico. It is about a 1950's London "Charlady" who sets her mind on something and goes all out to get it. It was a truly beautiful book!

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is beautiful. The imagery she uses and her choice of words is incredible. It is a beautiful but sad story so not sure if it will be a good time to read it.

The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald. About the German poet Novalis.

I also find AS Byatt's Possession a beautiful read, as well as The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, and The Humans by Matt Haig.

When I'm feeling low, or things have been going badly, though, I almost always turn to Georgette Heyer to cheer me up.

Oh thank you so much everyone I am writing them all down, I quite like and am comforted by 'sad but beautiful' so those novels are fine by me. We are slowly coming into our Summer so I am looking forward to trying all these titles under the sun umbrella on the beach!??

5 people you meet in heaven, lovely book, can't recall the name of the author though

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is by Mitch Albom and I totally agree it's lovely.

Mansfield park is an amazing book

Lark rise to candleford is beautiful, but a little sad at the end

I know they are children's books but I love the anne of avonlea books and little house on the prairie books if I'm feeling a bit low

I think the Irish writer, Niall Williams writes beautifully. I'd recommend Four Letters of Love or. As it is in Heaven.

Or Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Gorgeous.

Lottie, Mrs Harris had the Dior dress, didn't she? I loved those books.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is the most beautifully written book I have read - the story itself is fascinating but quite a tough read, but the writing is just stunning.

Blood of Flowers, although I cant remember who its by.

Its about a young girl growing up in 17th Century Iran. Its sad at times, but very, very beautifully descriptive.

"Remains Of The Day" by Kazuo ishiguro is one of the most beautifully-written books I have ever read. (though it is quite short.)
www.goodreads.com/book/show/28921.The_Remains_of_the_Day

"My dear I wanted to tell you" by Louisa Young is gorgeous.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/10170996-my-dear-i-wanted-to-tell-you

I've just read "We are all completely beside ourselves" by Karen Joy Fowler and loved it.

Also seconding Ursula le Guin, although I'd go for Left Hand Of Darkness.

Imperial Yes. I love all of them but FFMH is my favourite!!
They made a film of it al few years ago called "Mrs 'arris goes to Paris, with Angela Lansbury. They are currently remaking it with Twiggy.................

For beautiful writing and a poignant story I think "Tender is the Night" is one of the most wonderful books I've read.

Another vote for Possession here, but also, Precious Bane by Mary Webb. Her writing is absorbing and poetic, and transforms a simple love story to a thing of beauty.

For a beautiful, magical read I often return to Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (?)

Also love Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Achingly beautifully written